Throwing back to the week of December 21, 1974, we find Harry Chapin atop the Billboard Hot 100 with his father-son saga ‘Cat’s in the Cradle.’
This was the only #1 of Chapin’s career, and in fact his only appearance in the top 20. It spent one week in the top spot just before Christmas.
This song started out as a poem written by Chapin’s wife, Sandy. She based it on the estranged relationship between her former husband and father-in-law.
Chapin took a half-hearted stab at setting the lyrics to music, but set it aside. Only later, when the couple’s son was born, was he inspired to pick it back up and turn it into an enduring classic.
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin’ ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
He’d say, “I’m gonna be like you, Dad
You know I’m gonna be like you”
[Chorus]
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
“When you comin’ home, Dad?”
“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then”
[Verse 2]
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, “Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let’s play
Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today
I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s okay”
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
It said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m gonna be like him”
[Chorus]
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
“When you comin’ home, Dad?”
“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then”
[Verse 3]
Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head and he said with a smile
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?”
[Chorus]
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
“When you comin’ home, son?”
“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, Dad
You know we’ll have a good time then”
[Verse 4]
I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said, “I’d love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job’s a hassle and the kids have the flu
But it’s sure nice talking to you, Dad
It’s been sure nice talking to you”
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
[Chorus]
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
“When you comin’ home, son?”
“I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, Dad
We’re gonna have a good time then”
Meet Me In Montauk 
And a classic it is!
I always aspired not to be like the son and then, after I had kids, the father portrayed in this song.
There’s a short list of songs that bring a tear to my eye, and this is on it. Quick story: Harry Chapin came to my college for a concert (1975?); it was in the chapel, a beautiful place for music. Anyway, mid-concert came word that there was a bomb threat, so we had to evacuate the building. Rather than pack it in, Harry brought his band out on the front porch of the building and finished the show. Classy move.